Noise Issues

Noise from neighbours is a common source of disturbance. The most frequent complaints are about barking dogs, loud music or TV, shouting, banging doors and DIY. Remember that no house or flat is totally soundproof, and gardens and garages can be particularly noisy! Everyone can expect some noise from the people who live around them. You could be disturbed for the following reasons:

The neighbours are behaving unreasonably

The neighbours are behaving normally, but sound insulation in your home is not good enough to cut out the sounds of normal everyday living

The sensitivity of people to different types of noise varies – sounds that some enjoy may annoy others

What can you do if you are suffering from neighbourhood noise?

If you are being disturbed by noise from a neighbour:

First, approach your neighbour and explain politely that you are being troubled by noise. You may find this difficult, but often people are unaware that they are causing a problem. Most will be glad to do what they can to reduce noise. You must approach the matter carefully if you think your neighbour might react angrily to a complaint. In cases where you might feel threatened, or where previous personal approaches have not worked, go to your local authority.

If the problem continues:

Start a diary recording dates, times and cause of the noise, and the effects it has on you.

Write to your neighbour explaining the problem. Ask them to stop the noise nuisance, referring to any conversations you may have had and what, if anything, they agreed to do about it.

Keep a record of any conversations you have or letters you write. If your neighbours are tenants, discuss your problem with the landlord (if they are private tenants, you may need to find out who the landlord is). Most Conditions of Tenancy require that tenants do not cause nuisance to neighbours; a local authority or housing association should take action if a nuisance is being caused.

Are There Alternatives to Legal Action?

Noise disputes are often resolved informally. Legal action should be a last resort. It is unpleasant and will inevitably further sour the relationship between you and your neighbour. It is very important that you do your best to resolve any problem in a friendly way.

Mediation

Many areas have mediation services which can help you to resolve noise and other problems between neighbours. Your local authority should be able to refer you to local mediation services.

Sound Insulation

If the problem seems to be inadequate sound insulation, there are DIY measures that can help:

“Improving Sound Insulation in Homes” from the Building Research Establishment is available here

Action by the council

If the problem persists, contact your local Environmental Health Department for advice. Under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA), they must take “all reasonable steps” to investigate your complaint. They may write to the person causing the nuisance saying that a complaint has been made, asking them to take any steps that may be necessary to reduce noise. If they believe a statutory nuisance is occurring or likely to occur or recur they must take action. A statutory nuisance is defined in the EPA as – “noise emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance”.

If the noise continues, an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or Technical Officer should call, ideally at a time when you expect the noise to occur, to see whether in their judgement the noise is a statutory nuisance. They will consider the type of noise, how loud it is, how often and at what times it occurs. If the local authority is satisfied that a statutory noise nuisance exists they must issue a notice requiring the neighbour to stop causing the nuisance. If the person, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the notice, he or she is guilty of an offence and can be prosecuted.

EHOs are the recognised experts and their professional judgement is very important – if they consider that a nuisance is being caused a Magistrate will normally accept their view. In some cases the EHO may be sympathetic to the effect the noise is having on you, but unable to say it would represent a nuisance to the “average” person.

Local authorities take noise problems very seriously and will do their best to help. If you feel that the Council is not fulfilling its legal obligations you can complain to the local authority ombudsman.

Night Time Noise Offence

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 amended the Noise Act 1996 and enables local authorities in England and Wales to tackle night time noise emitted from dwellings and gardens between the hours of 11.00 pm and 7.00 am. To enforce these powers local authorities must ensure that an environmental health officer takes reasonable steps to investigate complaints about noise emitted from dwellings.

If the officer is satisfied that noise exceeds the permitted level, a warning notice may be served on the person responsible. If the warning is ignored, the offender becomes liable for prosecution which can result in a fine of up to £1000. In some instances, the local authority officer may issue a fixed penalty notice. If this is paid, then no further action will be taken.

Where the noise being complained about continues after a warning notice has been issued, the local authority officer may enter the dwelling and confiscate the noise making equipment (obstructing confiscation carries a fine of up to £1000). (In Scotland similar action can be taken under the Anti-Social Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.)

An extension of the Noise Act came into force in February 2008, enabling local authorities in England and Wales to tackle night time noise from licensed premises.

Taking your own action

Some types of noise may only occur occasionally or at night. If it is not possible for a local authority officer to witness it they may not feel able to take action on behalf of someone who has made a complaint. If this happens you can take independent action by complaining direct to the Magistrates’ Court under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This is quite simple and need not cost much; you do not need to employ a solicitor, but it is advisable to obtain some legal advice.

Before approaching the Court it is a good idea to write to the noise-maker. State that unless the noise has stopped by a certain date (e.g. two weeks) you will complain to the Magistrates’ Court. Keep a copy of all correspondence. If the noise-maker ignores either a verbal or written request by you to stop the noise, contact the Justices’ Clerk’s Office at your local Magistrates’ Court. Explain that you wish to make a complaint under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. There are samples of noise complaints letters here.

The Clerk of the Court should be able to advise you further. You must give at least three days’ notice of your intention to complain to the Magistrates’ Court to the person considered responsible for the noise. The notice should provide details of the complaint and may be delivered by hand or by post. A solicitor can do this for you (a solicitor’s letter will show you are serious). You need to prove to the Magistrate, beyond reasonable doubt, that the noise you are complaining about amounts to a nuisance. The diary you keep will be important evidence. The law states that only one person needs to be affected for there to be a nuisance. It is beneficial to produce evidence of other witnesses to strengthen your complaint.

A date will be set for the hearing and the person about whom you are complaining will be summoned to Court. You will be required to explain your problem and produce evidence of the disturbance. You will have to give your own evidence and cross-examine your supporting witnesses to draw out their evidence. The neighbour will be able to cross-examine you and your witnesses and may produce their own evidence.

The law relating to business premises is slightly different. They are able to defend themselves by proving that they are using the “best practicable means” to prevent the noise.

If you prove your case the Court will make an order requiring the nuisance to be abated, and/or prohibit recurrence of the nuisance. It also has the power to impose a fine on the defendant (currently up to £5,000). If this order is ignored further Court action will need to be taken; you must therefore continue to keep records of noise nuisance in case it is necessary to return to Court. If you fail to prove your case you may have to pay some of the defendant’s expenses in coming to Court. Under the London Local Authorities Act 2004, local authority officers can issue fixed penalty notices to London residents who breach noise abatement notices.

Anti-social behaviour

Noise can be part of a more serious neighbour problem. Under the Housing Act 1996 social landlords can take action against tenants for anti-social behaviour. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 allows councils or the police to apply to the Magistrates’ Court for an anti-social behaviour order in cases where an offender causes ‘harassment, alarm or distress’. Disobeying an order carries a prison sentence of up to five years. The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 provides for additional action to be taken against tenants of social landlords in England and Wales who are causing nuisance or annoyance.